I was coaching a client the other day and we got on the topic of proactive leadership. Some of our conversation got me thinking it would be good to consider qualities of proactive leadership over the next few blog postings. So here we go:

Vision: Proactive leaders are visionary. I’m not talking here about people who write spiffy ideas down on sheets of paper at retreats. I’m talking about people who are able to see. Vision doesn’t begin with words, it begins with perception. Meaningful slogans can be important. But, the ability to perceive what is happening inside yourself, other and the present moment, is one of the most critical skills a leader can’t develop. Developing awareness begins with a choice to become a "noticer." Great visionaries notice moods, behaviors, situational and circumstantial events and based on all of that reflect on the wise course of action (or non action).

Here are a few things that will kill vision:

1) Hurry
2) Arrogance
3) A know it all attitude
4) An inability to listen

In the days ahead, work on remaining awake and alert in the moment, paying attention to people and moments and reflecting on what to do before you do it. This doesn’t have to take a lot of time, but can save you time in the long run.